My interest in audio was spurred as my way of coping through disability & illness. Became overly important to me where I was spending all my disposable income on gear and over time less and less on new music. I've owned some nice gear but have since hit the reset switch after realizing I couldn't adequately explain what I wanted out of my system. I'm making a point to take things slower, own/experience common references, and get back to focusing my support to the artists over the gear makers.

I prefer crisp, lively, and clean sound. I've flirted with tubes enough to state that their magic wears on me over time. I end up missing the low noise floor & transients of transistors. I feel the same about analog, a fun trip but once the spell breaks its charm becomes nuisance.

To any newbies who stumble upon this, my advice after a decade is to experience audio through the lens of the used. The largest expenses in this hobby are shipping & depreciation. You can play with high-end gear if you make the right buys + break even on the sell. Just be careful about getting stuck with niche, unknown, or expensive components that may not align with your taste.